Combined printing device and tape applicator



Oct. 2, 1956 1. KAPLAN COMBINED PRINTING DEVICE AND TAPE APPLICATOR Filed June 21, 1952 IN V EN TOR COMBINED PRINTING DEVICE AND TAPE APPLICATOR Irving Kaplan, Jamaica, N. Y.

Application June 21, 1952, Serial No. 294,887

2 Claims. (Cl. 101332) The present invention is directed to tape applicators, more particularly to a combination of a tape applicator and a printing device for said tape.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 183,622, filed September 7, 1950, entitled Tape Dispenser and Applicator, now Patent No. 2,633,444, dated December 22, 1953, there is described and claimed a new type of device whereby tape from a roll is fed to an opening by the movement of a handle. By further movement of the handle, a plunger is released, causing the portion of the tape beneath the plunger to be first cut off and then forcibly applied to a surface. Such a device has a considerable number of uses and has proven successful in commercial operation. However, in many cases it is desirable that the portions of tape which are applied to a desired surface should have printed matter thereon. Accordingly it was necessary with the prior device to first apply the tape to the surface and then to print or otherwise mark on the tape so applied.

The present invention is intended and adapted to overcome the disadvantage set forth above, it being among the objects of the present invention to combine with the tape applicator an integral printing device whereby in a single operation a portion of tape may be applied and printed.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a printing device which is simple in construction, readily operated and capable of use for long periods of time without the necessity for repair or replacement.

It is further among the objects of the present invention to provide a device of the character described, wherein an inking ribbon is provided and mechanical means are associated therewith, whereby long life of the ribbon is obtained.

In practicing the present invention there is secured to the plunger of the tape applicator a holder for an inking ribbon with means therein to facilitate the insertion and removal of the ribbon. Means are also provided therein whereby the ribbon is held taut under conditions of operation and feeding of the ribbon alternately in opposite directions is provided for. Removable type is placed on the lower face of the plunger between the plunger and the ribbon. Thereby during the operation of the plunger, it is raised together with the inking ribbon and the type and thereafter released, causing first a cutting off of a portion of tape and immediately thereafter the application of the tape to the surface and the simultaneous printing thereon.

In the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof and in which like reference characters indicate like parts,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a tape applicator made in accordance with the present invention, the cover thereof being removed to show the internal mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the mechanism in a different position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the mechanism after the plunger has been released;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view thereof,

2,764,934 Fatented Oct. 2, 1956 2 showing particularly the ribbon and its holder and associated mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, taken from below, and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the ribbon holder in open position.

The tape applicator as described in the aforesaid application consists of a casing 1 having a handle 2 pivoted therein. Secured to the handle 2 is a lever 3 having an angular arm 4, to the end of which is pivoted a rack 5 operating on ratchet wheel .6. Tape 7 is fed to the left from a roll (not shown) under a pair of rolls operated by wheel 6 to feed tape under the plunger of the device.

A pivoted pin 8 is adapted to contact cam surface 9 having stop 10 thereon. Pivoted at 11 on casing 1 is a curved arm 12 having finger 13 at the free end thereof. Spring 14 tends to hold arm 12 in a downward position. Cam 15 on handle 2 operates to raise arm 12 upon suitable movement of the handle.

Latch 16 pivoted at 17 cooperates with finger 13 and above the same a member 18 is secured in casing 1. Stop 19 on hollow plunger 20 limits the movement of latch 16 and pin 17 is journalled in plunger 20. The plunger has lower flat face 21 and a knife 22 is secured to the right hand side thereof, cooperating with shearing surface 23 carried by bottom 24 of the casing. A latch 25 holds bottom 24 in operative position on casing 1.

On the front of casing 1 is a plate 26 extending downwardly and terminating in foot 27. A covering 28 of rubber or other elastic material is provided thereon. The lower face of 28 is in alinement with the lower face of member 24.

Secured to the upper face of 21 is a ribbon holder having a flat central portion 31) and arcuate side portions 31 and 32. interposed between 21 and is a spring having a flat portion 33 and arcuate portions 34 and 35 positioned within portions 31 and 32, respectively. Rivets 36 or the like fix said elements in their relative positions. A block 37 having longitudinal dove-tailed openings is secured to the underface of 21. It carries removable type 38, the bases of which fit into the dove-tailed slots. Elements 37 and 38 are generally made of rubber or other elastic material.

The closure 41! for the ribbon and holder is open at the bottom and has a pair of narrow transverse ribs 41 across the bottom thereof to prevent accidental displacement .of the ribbon to be described. On one side of closure is a pair of arcuate members .42 adapted to fit along the edges of arcuate portion 31. They have vertical slots 43, as shown particularly in Fig. 6. On the right hand side of closure 40 is a pair of similar arcuate sides 44 which fit along the edges of arcuate member 32. On the right of 32 is a depending spring member 45 having a hook 46 on the end thereof and extending inwardly. It is adapted to latch under recess 47 in the lower right hand portion of 44.

A ratchet wheel 43 is mounted on shaft 49 which fits into slots 43. A second ratchet wheel 50 is mounted on shaft 51 journalled in portions 44. Shaft 49 carries ribbon 52, an intermediate portion 53 of which extends along the bottom of closure 40 above ribs 41 and is wound around shaft 51, as shown at 54.

Slide 55 has at the ends thereof depending spring members 56 and 57, respectively, intended to alternately engage with ratchet wheels 43 and 50. A slide is provided with a narrow longitudinal slot 58 and a screw 59 passing through the slot holds the slide against plate 26. A pair of spaced projections 60 and 61 on plate 26 extend into slot 58. They act as stop members, limiting the lateral motion of slide 55, which is held in its adjusted positions by tightening screw 59.

In the operation of the device, it is initially in the position shown in Fig. 1, with handle 2 in its lowermost posi- 9 a tion. The operator places his hand over the top of easing 1 and his fingers under handle 2, exerting pressure thereon, raising the handle for a portion of its travel, whereby the operation of rack'S and associated elements feeds tape 7 to a point below plunger 20, as shown in Fig. 2. Simultaneously the plunger is raised partially until finger 19 is almost released from latch 16.

Then with the final upward movement of handle 2, latch 16 is released by the cam action of stud 18 and by spring pressure (not shown) plunger 20 is forced into its lowermost position shown in Fig, 3. Thereby knife 22 at the end of said downward movement cuts off a portion of tape and the pressure of type 38 on said portion causes it to adhere to the desired surface. At the same time, because ribbon 53 is interposed, type 38 also prints an impression on the surface of the tape.

As will be seen more particularly with respect to Fig. 4, during the upward movement of plunger 20, spring or dog 57 engages ratchet wheel 50, rotating the same, and causes a slight movement or feeding of the ribbon to expose a fresh portion thereof to the type. When the ribbon has reached the end of the roll, screw 59 is loosened, slide 55 is moved to the left, taking dog 57 out of register and pressing dog 56 in register with ratchet wheel 48. Due to the pressure of portions 34 and 35 on ribbon 52 and 54, respectively, the intermediate portion 53 is kept taut at all times. Also because of the pressure of said springs on the rolls of ribbon, it causes diffusion of ink from the unused portions and thereby lengthens the life and usefulness of the ribbon.

Numerous advantages are inherent in the present invention. The operation thereof is quite simple and in a single action tape may be applied to a surface, cut off and printed in a matter of moments. The type is readily removable and may be changed quickly as desired. The device is a single unit and no part thereof can be misplaced. The construction is sturdy and simple and the inking ribbon is so arranged that the entire device may be used for long periods of time without the necessity for repair or replacement of parts or renewal of the ribbon.

Previously it was necessary in making up labels for attachment to merchandise to have such labels prepared and printed and then transported to the point of use. Many more labels than necessary were usually printed and if there was a change in price on an item, new labels had to be made up with considerable delay in application thereof. By the present invention, labels are in effect made on the spot while being applied and no delays are necessary nor need any labels be discarded. The present device may be used for printing directly on the item without the use of tape, if desired. In such case, the roll of 4 tape is removed from the applicator and the operation thereof is conducted as described above.

I claim:

1. In a tape applicator and printing machine having a casing, a plunger therein with means for raising and releasing the same, type on the lower face of said plunger, an inking ribbon adapted to pass under said type, and means for feeding adhesive tape transversely to and under said ribbon, the improvement which comprises a ribbon holder of elongated form having a fiat central portion and arched side portions, an elongated closure for said holder having arcuate upstanding sides adapted to fit against said arched side portions, means for retaining said holder and closure in operative position, transverse shafts in said upstanding sides for holding said ribbon, a ratchet on at least one of said shafts, and a dog on said plunger adapted to feed said ratchet.

2. In a tape applicator and printing machine having a casing, a plunger therein with means for raising and releasing the same, type on the lower face of said plunger, an inking ribbon adapted to pass under said type, and means for feeding adhesive tape transversely to and under said ribbon, the improvement which comprises a ribbon holder of elongated form having a flat central portion and arched side portions, an elongated closure for said holder having arcuate upstanding sides adapted to fit against said arched side portions, means for retaining said holder and closure in operative position, transverse shafts in said upstanding sides for holding said ribbon, a ratchet on at least one of said shafts, a dog on said plunger adapted to feed said ratchet, an adjustable member mounted on said casing, said dog being held on said member, and means for shifting said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kaplan Dec. 22, 1953 

